Is Anything Better Than Happy?

We live in a world that constantly yells: "Happiness at all cost!"

Well, I won't say happiness is necessarily overrated. Who doesn't want to be happy? Who doesn't want their children to be happy? Who doesn't want people around them to be happy? I sure do.

But there is something that trumps happy.

There is something the world doesn't tell us.

Something... really big. Really important.

It's being blessed by God.

Let me see if I can do this concept justice. Shed some light, unravel this ball of yarn, piece together this puzzle. Blessed or happy? Happy or blessed? Isn't it a blessing to be happy?

Yes.

However, I submit that deeper emotions than happiness are at stake here. Much better, more lasting, more satisfying. And they are not products of circumstantial happiness. They are products of being blessed by God. Specifically, being blessed regardless of our circumstances.

Happiness is dependent upon circumstances. These other emotions (I'll get to them) are not dependent upon our circumstances, but rather, our relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. Stay with me here.

The problem: The world has happy up on a pedestal and makes it look like the highest form of feeling, something to be sought, something to be obtained and held and kept.

It's a lie.

How so? If happiness is dependent upon our circumstance (and it is) then how do we keep it? Well, most often the only answer is to change unpleasant circumstances. A.k.a. run away from things that make us unhappy. Goodbye trials. Goodbye unhappiness. Goodbye person. Goodbye job. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye.

Historically, I am more of a runner than a stayer. I used to seek happiness (listen to the world). I'd run away because, in the moment, the inward scream "I'M NOT HAPPY!" was the voice I most often listened to. The funny thing is, I'd run from an unpleasant situation smack dab into another problem. Oh, the other problem didn't always show itself right away, but it was there in the shadows, calculating. Watching. Waiting for me.

And I've had some doozies. They just never seem to stay away. Those problems.

So, what is the solution? How do we bypass this "temporary" happy for the bigger and better emotions?

Let's begin with the book of James, chapter one. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (verses 2-3).

It's no secret that trials do not produce happiness. What do they produce?

Perseverance. Stick-to-itiveness. Hmmm. We're onto something here.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (verse 12).

So persevering in the trials produces blessing from God. Why? Because God's will is always chased by blessing. God doesn't tell us to run. He tells us to persevere. Work through it. Wait. We are blessed to the extent that we are DOING THINGS GOD'S WAY!

So, what does it take to do things God's way? One word: Trust.

Trust that God, today, tomorrow, in the end, knows more than we do. He knows trials are hard (some almost unbearable). But he also knows that they are a temporary and most often unavoidable part of this world. Trust. Trust. Trust. And, obey.

Blessing.

Okay, so what are these bigger and better than happy emotions we get? You probably already know.

Joy and peace.

The best part is they are not hinged on circumstances. They are hinged on your trust in God. My trust in God. Our trust in God.

Hang in there.

Don't look to the world.

Look to God.

Trust.

Don't listen to the world's cheer-leading section (and it is very, very loud and very, very large). It yells: "Give me an R! Give me a U! Give me an N! What's that spell? RUN!"

Don't listen.

Persevere.

Trust.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).